i want a beagle husband whats a spaniel whats best for us?

hi there. i'm bev and i have never had a dog before. my husband has always had a dog in his family. we have 2 dog loving boys 6 and 11 and a good size house with a small garden. we're always out at football training etc and would be able to give our dog lots of exercise and i have fell in love with the Beagle. Our only concern is that we live in an area with lots of dogs and they hardly bark at all. I've been advised not to get a beagle as they will bark a lot and they are hard to control once off the lead. this has put my husband off and he wants us to get a spaniel. i'm quite upset about this and would like any avice you have to offer me or if you would recommend a breed to me. i wouldn't like to have a large dog and preferably not too long haired. good nature would be a must although that depends on the dog itself. i'm quite literally starting at the beginning so any help or advice would be accepted with extreme gratitude. thanks. bev

Personally, I think you would be better off with an English Springer, but you must find a very reputable breeder. I owned a Spaniel for 17 years, until she passed away, and I have never seen a more loveable, playful or gentle dog. She would actually nurse kittens as if they were hers, and I've never seen a better dog with children. There have been some bad breeders in the past who gave the dog a bad name; hence my comment about finding a good breeder. You may also want to look into a rescue group, and see what they have. Good luck, with whatever dog you choose.

Good for you on asking for advice before rushing out and getting the first puppy you see!

Since you're "starting from scratch" so to say, it's best to take things slowly. The best advice I can give to you at this point, is RESEARCH! RESEARCH!! RESEARCH!!!

Ask yourself why it is that you like the Beagle. Is it the colouring? The size? The look of a Beagle puppy? Why does your husband want a Spaniel?

There are so many dog breeds out there - and finding the perfect fit for your family may take longer then expected. Rushing into a decision like this is why so many dogs end up in shelters and euthanized yearly. By doing proper research and understanding BOTH the pros and the cons of each breed that first appeals to you, you should end up with a dog that has the potential to be a life-long family member.

Starting at a website like the American Kennel Club will give you a list of most all breeds of dogs. Keep an open mind and look for dogs other then Beagles and Spaniels. Make a list of the dogs that appeal to you and your husband (you should do this together, that way, you can both have input into the decision). There are a lot of dogs in the Terrier group for example, that might be a good fit for your family. Sporting and Non-Sporting also have a wide array of breeds that make good family members.

Please don't make this a hasty decision. And remember, it's important that EVERYONE be on the same page about the new dog. If not, it could very well lead to ill-feelings toward the puppy/rescue when they first get home.

Best of luck!

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